Trouser presser



Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to trouser pressing de vices and is concerned primarily with that type of device which is capable of home use by the individual trouser owner.

At the present time, there is available to the public several trouser pressing devices of the same general character as that with which this invention is concerned. Such devices may be briefly described by noting that they include hinged pressing elements which are designed to be clamped over the creases of the trousers, and associated with these clamping elements are bracing means for stretching them apart and thus setting up a corresponding stretch in the trousers. The present invention deals with improvements in trouser pressing devices of this type.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a trouser pressing device of the character above noted, which may be readily folded up into a compact condition; thus, readily adapting the device to being packed away in a convenient manner, in a grip or other article of luggage. In carrying out this important objective in a practical embodiment, it is at the same time an essential feature of the invention to provide a trouser pressing device which will operate in an improved manner over the now known devices of this type.

More particularly the invention has in view the provision of a trouser presser, comprising two main units; one for the creases at each side of the trousers when they are folded in a conventional manner. Each of these units consists of several parts making up the clamping elements together with the bracing instrumentalities, which are designed to cooperate with complemental instrumentalities on the other unit.

A particular object of the invention is the provision of a trouser presser of the type above-noted, in which each unit comprises upper and lower clamping assemblies, which are hinged together to render the unit foldable into a compact formation. The edges of these clamping assemblies, which are hinged together are of a curved formation, thus permitting a certain amount of angular movement between the clamping assemblies in the plane of the trousers which are pressed therebetween. Thus, the upper clamping assembly is angularly adjustable with respect to the lower assembly to accommodate varying widths in the trousers which are pressed by the devices.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of a trouser presser of the character above-noted, in which a novel type of bracing instrumentalities between the spaced units is provided. In accordance with this invention, the

bracing instrumentalities comprise bracing arms that are pivotally carried by the respective units and adapted to be swung over into engagement with a ratchet type fastening element on the other unit, whereby the units which have been clamped on the creases of the trousers may be stretched apart until the trousers have acquired a desired degree of tautness, which will be maintained by the cooperation of the braces with the ratchet fastening means.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision of a trouser presser of the type above-noted, which includes spring clip members that ordinarily are entirely free from the respective units, but which may be applied thereto at any desired points of location to apply pressure to the clamping elements which have the trouser creases clamped therebetween.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention are associated with the provision of a trouser presser in accordance with the above-noted objectives and which will provide a pleasing and sightly appearance when folded up into a compact condition. These will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention, therefore, comprises a trouser pressing device of two units, one for the creases at each side of the trousers. Each of these units includes upper and lower clamping assemblies that are hinged together and angularly adjustable with respect to each other in a direction normal to that of the hinging movement. Each of the units carries bracing arms that are pivotally mounted thereon and which are adapted to be swung over to cooperate with ratchet fastening means on the other unit. The presser device also includes spring clips that are designed to be slipped over the clamping assemblies to provide the necessary pressure to the clamped elements.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational showing of a pair of trousers with a trouser pressing device applied thereto in accordance with the precepts of this invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the units opened up. This view is taken looking at the inner faces of the clamping elements.

Figure 3 is a plan view, showing the upper and lower clamping assemblies of one of the units folded into a compact condition.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary showing, bringing out the hinged construction between the clamping assemblies of each unit.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken through the device as an entirety with the trousers removed. This view is taken as a section through one of the bracing arms when the latter is swung over into position maintaining the units stretched apart.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed showing in a horizontal section, bringing out the manner in which an extension may be carried by one of the bracing arms.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detailed view in perspective of one of the bracket elements which is employed in conjunction with one of the bracing arms.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detailed view in perspective of one of the spring clip elements.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, a pair of trousers is represented at I 0 and is shown as having the creases II on one side and the creases I2 on the other. The condition in which the trousers are folded, as shown in Figure 1 is the conventional way of folding trousers for pressing purposes. At the lower end the trousers terminate in a cuff designated I3.

The trouser presser of this invention comprises a pair of units that prior to positioning on the trousers III are entirely separate and independent. The unit which is applied to the crease II is referred to in its entirety by the reference character A, while the unit which is applied to the crease I2 is referered to generally by the reference character B. These units A and B are of substantially identical construction and the detailed points of construction of only one of these units needs here be described for the purpose of this specification.

Upon referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that the unit A comprises the clamping elements I4 and I5 that are hinged together by a fabric hinge, designated I6 to constitute thelower clamping assembly of the unit A. At this point, it is notable that the clamping elements I4 and I5 are cut away as represented at I I to accommodate the cuff I3 of the trousers.

The upper clamping assembly of the unit A con sists of the clamping elements I8 and I9, which are hinged together by the fabric hinge 20, which may be an integral continuation of the fabric hinge I6. It is important to note that the edges of the parts I4, I5, I8, and I9 which engage, are rounded as shown at 2|, and the rounded edges of the clamping elements I4 and I8 are hinged together by the hinge construction represented at 22. The hinge construction 22 is also preferably a hinge of the fabric type and includes a piece of fabric 23 that is fastened to the inner faces of the parts I4 and I8 in a well known manner, as by an adhesive. The second piece of fabric, designated 24, is secured to the curved edges of the parts I4 and I8 by metallic strips 25, which may be held in anchoring position by screw elements designated 26.

When the clamping elements I 4, I5, I8 and I9 are folded into clamping position, as shown in Figure 1 with the crease I I betweenthe respective parts I4, I5, I8, and I9, it is evident that a certain amount of angular adjustment between the upper and lower clamping assemblies is permitted by the rounded end edges 2I and this angular adjustment is brought out clearly in the showing of the unit B as it is applied to the crease I2.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 8, a spring clip of a U-shape formation is referred to in its entirety by the reference character C and is shown as comprising legs 21 and 28 which are formed at their extremities with depressed portions 29. It is evident that when the spring clips 0 are slipped over the clamping assemblies, the depressed portions 29 of the legs will apply pressure at points remote from the hinges I6 and 20.

Pivotally mounted on the outer faces of the clamping elements I4 and I5 of the unit A are a pair of brace arms designated 30 and 3I. The manner in which these arms are pivotally mounted on the members I4 and I5 may be ascertained more clearly upon reference to Figures 5 and '7. Each of the members I4 and I5 is provided with a circular depression, designated 32 (Figure 5) which is adapted to snugly receive a pivot pin 33 that is carried by the arm 3I.

A bracket referred to in its entirety by the reference character 34 is secured to the member I5 and has an offset portion 35 that extends over top of that portion of the arm 3I that carries the pin 33. It is evident that the bracket 34 serves to maintain the pin 33 seated in the recess 32. It is notable that the bracket 34 and pivotal mounting of the arm 3|, which has just been described is located at the lower extremity of the lower clamping assembly of the unit A that is adjacent to the cuff I3. Adjacent to the upper end of this lower clamping assembly is located fastening means which is duplicated at the lower end of the lower assembly of the unit B. This fastening means comprises one of the brackets 34, having the offset portion 35, and disposed there beneath is a spring detent 36 that is anchored to the clamping element. This spring detent 36 has an upraised edge 31 extending towards the offset portion 35 of the bracket 34' for cooperation wtih a series of ratchet teeth designated 38 that are formed on the under face of the arm 3 I.

It is evident that after the units A and B have been applied to the respective creases II and I2 and the spring clips C slipped into position to supply the required pressure, the arms 3!] and 3| may be swung over into position in which the ratchet teeth 38 are engaged by spring detents 36. The trousers may now be stretched (that is the units A and B are stretched apart) and the stretched condition will be maintained by the engagement of the spring detent 36 with the ratchet teeth 33.

The bracing arms 30 and 3i above-described bein p votally carried by the unit A adjacent to the cuff I3 are obviously disposed at the narrowest width of the trousers I0. The bracing arms referred to as 39, which are carried by the upper end of the lower assembly of the unit B may also be of this same length as the width of the trousers will not have materially increased at this point. However, the bracing arms shown at 48 as being pivotally carried at the lower end of the upper assembly of the unit A may be somewhat longer in dimension and the bracing arms shown at 14 that are located at the uppermost or widest part of the trousers may include an extension which is shown in detail in Figure 6. The extension itself is referred to by the reference character 42. This extension 42 has an outturned end edge 44 that cooperates with a series of ratchet teeth 45, formed on the adjacent face of the arm 41'. A sleeve 45 encompasses the arm 4| and extension 42, and thus maintains the spring detent 44 into effective relationship with the ratchet teeth 45. It is evident that movement of the extension 42 in the direction of the arrow, Figure 6 is permitted by ratchet teeth 45 and detent 44, but movement in the opposite direction is resisted. Thus, the extensions 42 and arms 4| may be stretched out at the wider portion of the trousers l to set up the desired degree of tautness therein.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that if the creases H and I2 of the trousers II) are first dampened prior to application of the units A and B thereto, and the device applied in the manner hereinbefore described, that the trousers will be properly pressed with a nice crease at the points desired and all wrinkles intermediate the creases will be taken out by the stretching to which the trousers are subjected.

Moreover, when the device is to be packed away each unit is folded into the condition shown in Figure 3. It is noted that this folded condition is maintained by the spring clips C which are slipped over the parts [4 and I8 and I and I9 in the same manner as when pressure is applied for pressing purposes.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth it is to be clearly understood that I am not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claim.

I claim:

Trouser pressing apparatus of the character described comprising two units, one being adapted to be applied to the creases at one side of a pair of trousers, while the other unit is adapted to be applied to the creases at the opposite side of the said pair of trousers, each of said units consisting of a pair of clamping assemblies, each of said clamping assemblies including a pair of hinged clamping elements, one clamping element of a clamping assembly of one unit being formed with a recess on its outer face, a bracing arm having a pivotal pin received in said recess, a bracket engaging said bracing arm to maintain said pin seated in said recess, a second bracket carried by the corresponding clamping element of the clamping assembly of the unit which is adapted to be disposed on the trouser crease opposite to the crease carrying said first mentioned clamping assembly, and a spring detent positioned beneath said second bracket, said arm being formed on. the face adjacent to the clamping element with a series of ratchet teeth one of which is adapted to engage said spring detent.

LOUIS E. FIDLER. 

